Author: PPM Academy

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Actionable Insights

Tips to Creating Great Ideas

Great Ideas
1,552 Views

Great ideas are the fuel that moves organizations forward. A new idea can streamline processes, solve problems or take your business in a new direction. While inspiration sometimes seems to come from nowhere, there are intentional steps you can take to encourage the development of great ideas.

Understanding Where Good Ideas Come From

Thinking that is both creative and productive involves two neural pathways. The associative pathway runs in the background of your mind. This network is responsible for making connections between disparate ideas. While this part of your brain can generate creative thoughts, these ideas may only amount to daydreaming if they have no practical application.

The normative network works in the foreground of your daily life, helping you make decisions and address problems. This pathway evaluates and adapts ideas so that they can work in the real world. When these networks work together, you can produce great ideas business leaders can put to use.

A Creative Mindset

“Creativity is just connecting things.” – Steve Jobs

People often do not give themselves credit for creativity. They imagine that truly creative ideas must lead to earth-shattering discoveries or great works of art. The reality is that innovative ideas are more about making connections or using current resources in new ways. There are several methods to foster a creative mindset.

Diversify Your Booklist

The bulk of your reading may focus on a single subject if you are trying to be an expert in a field. However, to make new connections, you must get input from a variety of sources. Reading books and listening to podcasts that take you to new places will build your resources for new ways of thinking.

Expand Your Social Circle

You are probably the most comfortable with people who share your worldview. Talking to individuals in different fields or from various backgrounds will challenge you to look at things in a new way.

Study Several Solutions to the Same Problem

Knowing the ways that other people solve challenges will improve your creativity skills. Looking at a problem from several angles enhances your ability to craft a creative solution.

Make Time for Creativity

Cultivating creative ideas is an intentional act. You may want to clear your schedule for some daily brainstorming. It can be helpful to do this early in the day when you are well-rested. An afternoon session during a brisk walk is another way to produce great ideas.

Personal Practices for Great Ideas

Meditation

A calm mind has space for new thoughts. Regular mediation practices teach you how to let go of unhelpful thought patterns and pay attention to great ideas.

Capture Ideas as They Arise

Inspired thoughts can come unexpectedly. The associative neural pathway may make a connection in the middle of the night or while you are doing mindless chores. Because your mind fills up with other tasks and decisions, you will likely forget your great ideas if you do not record them. Carry a notebook or use your favorite notetaking app on your phone to capture ideas before they slip away.

Encouraging Creativity at Work

“I begin with an idea, and then it becomes something else.” – Pablo Picasso

Cooperative Brainstorming

There is a tendency to associate great ideas with individuals like inventors and artists. In the workplace, creativity is often a group activity. The enthusiasm derived from a new insight is contagious. When people gather together, one great idea can inspire several possible applications.

Reduce Stress

When human beings are under stress, they tend to rely on standard solutions. Harried employees looking to meet close deadlines are unlikely to come up with anything new. Instead, they will take the easiest path to meet the goal. Reducing stress in the workplace allows people to relax, dream and develop.

Make Time for Creative Activities

To give priority to innovative thinking, you can build time for creativity into the daily schedule. This period might take the form of a group brainstorming challenge, or it might be 30 minutes set aside for personal projects or reading.

Break Routines

A workplace that is too comfortable can also block creative efforts. The subtle adjustments necessary to handle a schedule change can be enough to put the brain into problem-solving mode. Rearranging the layout of the workplace will also create small challenges.

Great ideas do not just belong to a few exceptional individuals. Anyone can improve their creative efforts by setting aside time and space for innovative thinking. Are you looking for help inspiring the creativity of your team? Get in touch with me. I would be thrilled to work with you.

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Make More Money

Can Your Network Increase Your Net Worth?

Net Worth
1,583 Views

Most business people and entrepreneurs use their skills and hard work to increase their net worth. However, many of these same people have something else they can lean on to keep their net worth moving in an upward trajectory. It’s called the effective use of a personal network.

Do you have a personal network? If not, why not? If you do have one, are you using your network to increase your net worth effectively? The fact is your network is there to help you. It’s the best way to build social capital. You can use it for purely social interactions, but you risk bypassing a great way to improve your financial stability and the quality of your life by doing so.

Have you ever heard the saying, “Your network is your net worth?” Well, it’s a saying that seems worthy of your consideration. If you aren’t already using your network as a tool of success, you might want to change your mindset regarding how you grow your net worth. Shifting your perspective will take time and effort, but it’s something that could lead you into the kind of wealth that goes beyond your imagination.

Here are seven suggestions on how to use your network to increase your net worth.

1. Don’t Underestimate the Size of Your Network

After investing time to build your network, you should be willing to assess where your network stands occasionally. You have to remember that your network will often extend beyond the people you would consider your direct contacts. It might also include people who are contacts of contacts. Don’t underestimate your network’s size and make sure to reach out to as many resources as possible.

2. Prepare for Networking Events

As a business professional or entrepreneur, you should make attending networking events a regular part of your workday experiences. When you go, get in the habit of going with a purpose. That should include knowing what you want to put on the table in discussions and who you would like to meet.

3. Follow Up With Contacts

While attending networking events, please take special note of the people you encounter and what you discussed with them. Get contact information if possible. You can also take notes on your mobile device if necessary.

After putting forth the effort to take special notes and get contact information, it’s incumbent upon you to follow up with your contacts. This would allow you to set up subsequent meetings, which could reinforce your relationship’s strength for the future.

4. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Many people tend to only attend networking events under circumstances in which they feel comfortable. The truth is the people who might be able to influence your net worth the most could come from any walk of life. That means some of your best chances to meet influencers may come from events that sit outside your comfort zone.

5. Show Up to Networking Events Early

If the number of networking events in your area is limited, you need to make sure you get what you need from the ones you can attend. To do that, make it a point to arrive early. There is a tendency for very busy and successful people to show up early, make their contacts, and head out before the event is over. You have to meet and greet these people when they are available.

Also, you should make an effort to stay throughout the whole event if possible. The best chances you will have to meet influencers is during the earliest and latest part of the event when the crowd is thinner.

6. Focus on the People Who Can Meet Your Needs

With limited time, you need to focus on interacting with people who can genuinely help you. If it’s a promotion you seek, reach out to people who can play a part in getting you that promotion. If you are looking for investors, focus on meeting with people who have money to invest and are currently seeking investment opportunities.

7. Develop an Online Brand

Given the strength of today’s technology, you can’t afford to miss the opportunity to build your online brand. It makes it easier for people to find and reach out to you. According to Porter Gale, author of “Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Unlock the Hidden Power of Connections for Wealth, Success, and Happiness in the Digital Age,” “Having a defined online brand or profile also makes connecting more likely, as credibility checks are just a click away.”

As a business professional, you need to keep yourself informed on the latest business and wealth-building trends worldwide. You will have stiff competition, and to come out on top, you must be prepared.

For more ideas on leveraging your network, making more money, and becoming a leader in your industry, reach out to the Leonard Productivity Institute.

Categories
Reduce Stress

Common Causes of Stress

Stressed Businessman
2,243 Views

Most people experience some form of stress every day. Although some stress is good, you must be mindful of the causes of stress and the negative effect stress can have on your life. Since it’s impossible to live an entirely stress-free life, the best thing you can do is learn how to recognize and manage the effects of stress.

This article discusses what stress is, what might cause it, and how it affects you. It also includes information about ways you can get help dealing with stress.

What Are the Causes of Stress?

Several things that occur in your life can create feelings of stress. When you’re always under pressure and constantly worrying about something, it produces anxiety. Sometimes, experiencing significant life changes can create a sense of helplessness. These feelings will especially exist if you feel stress about things that you have no control over.

New responsibilities such as a job promotion, a new home, or the birth of a child can leave you feeling overwhelmed. Most people welcome these events because they create happiness. However, even festive life events can bring significant lifestyle changes or cause unusual demands, creating an incredible amount of stress.

What causes stress for one person may not have any effect on the next person. However, there are some general situations that mental health experts agree are stressful for most people. Common examples of stress include problems with work, finances, and relationships with those close to you.

Relationships

When you have strained relationships with those close to you, it causes stress. Being around those people may produce feelings of discomfort and anxiety. When the person you’re not getting along with is a spouse, the pressure is more intense because of the relationship’s closeness.

Finances

Money is a primary stressor in a person’s life. Not having enough money to pay for life’s necessities can affect your sense of security and self-worth. The amount of money you earn also affects your ability to take care of your family. Facing the challenges of providing for yourself and your family when you don’t make enough money is exceptionally stressful.

Work

Working at a demanding job where there are not enough hours to get your work done is stressful. Having a supervisor who shows no empathy and has unrealistic expectations only adds to that stress. The work environment can become hostile and lead to chronic stress.

What Does Stress Cause?

Neuroscientists who study the nervous system and the brain now understand how chronic stress has a significant impact on a person’s health.

Stress triggers a fight-or-flight response, which gives you the ability to respond to danger quickly. This quick response is possible because under pressure, your body’s glucose levels, heart rate, and the amount of blood that flows to the muscles in your arms and legs increases. When the stressful event passes, your body returns to its normal state.

In addition to physical reactions, stress causes emotional and psychological effects. After a while, the number of stressful incidents and the length of time you remain under pressure can compound the impact. When you experience chronic stress, your body stays heightened continuously. Constant vigilance can lead to anxiety, depression, and many other health conditions.

When parents are stressed, it has an impact on the physical and mental health of their children. Symptoms of stress in young children can manifest as headaches, stomach aches, irritability, and being withdrawn. Because a child’s brain is still developing through adolescence and up until early adulthood, childhood trauma can be damaging. However, the child can recover from the trauma’s effects through the right treatment type because the damage is reversible.

How to Relieve Stress

There are many ways to reduce stress. You can learn to relax, take short breaks throughout the day, prioritize tasks, and manage your time better. To release tension at work and home, you can learn to communicate more effectively with co-workers and family.

Lifestyle changes, such as increasing exercise and making healthy food choices, are other ways to decrease stress levels. You can also seek counseling from a licensed therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. These professionals will help you work through identifying and managing the stress in your life.

When chronic stress leads to anxiety or depression, you may need a medical doctor or psychiatrist to prescribe medication to relieve stress. Whatever the course of treatment, you should not be embarrassed about asking for help with managing stress. Regardless of how healthy you are, stress can impact your life.

For more information about how to deal with stress and remain productive, check out some other articles from the Leonard Productivity Institute.

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Thought Leadership

What Is An Industry Leader?

Industry Leadership
2,139 Views

What Defines an Industry Leader?

If you set only one goal for the new year, make it your goal to become a leader in your industry. That doesn’t mean becoming the biggest company on the block. It means opening yourself up to a fresh way of thinking. Developing the skills that propel you to business leadership is key to securing your company’s future.

How to Recognize an Industry Leader

The Cambridge Dictionary defines an industry leader as a business that’s “considered the most effective in its industry, for example, because it sells more products, makes more profit, or has a better-known brand than its competitors.”

How well do you fit that profile? Are you standing out in your industry for your success or your brand? If you’re not, spend some time reflecting on the qualities of an outstanding leader. How many of these qualities can you develop?

Leadership Qualities

You can learn essential management lessons from outstanding leaders. Most of them have the following five qualities.

  1. They are skilled listeners. Leaders value input from all sources, and they listen to everyone.

  • You can count on them. A leader is a trusted advisor who will have your back and give you their full support.

  • They keep it simple. A true leader can cut to the core of an issue and make it easy to grasp.

  • Leaders don’t make excuses. They accept faults and focus on the future.

  • They start early in the morning. Merely changing your schedule can have a significant impact on your success.

If you follow the careers of well-known industry executives, successful coaches, inspiring preachers, and others who excel, you’ll see they consistently show these characteristics.

Business Leadership Requires the Right Mindset

Your mindset is one of the most essential leadership qualities to hone. After all, your mindset determines the vision you bring to any organization.

In an article for Inc., Marcel Schwantes writes that “Leaders need to work first on themselves and become the change. Then leaders must create the cultural conditions that encourage others to do the same. We don’t change others; we change ourselves.”

Ryan Gottfredson and Chris Reina have studied successful business leaders. In an article for Harvard Business Review, they summarized their research. They concluded that “Mindsets are leaders’ mental lenses that dictate what information they take in and use to make sense of and navigate the situations they encounter. Mindsets drive what leaders do and why.”

To Be a Great Leader, You Need the Right Mindset

What are the specific mindsets these leaders cultivate? Well, the following are the primary ones.

  • Growth mindset: People with this mindset believe their employees can learn new skills and new talents.

  • Learning and performance mindset: A person with this mindset always seeks to master new skills and increase personal competence.

  • Deliberative mindset: If you have this mindset, you are good at absorbing information and changing a company’s direction.

  • Promotion mindset: Leaders with promotion mindsets encourage themselves and others to achieve goals.

Real-Life Examples of Business Leadership

You can see these mindsets in action if you follow the careers of successful industry leaders.

Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, once said, “If we win the hearts and minds of employees, we’re going to have better business success.” Barra’s growth mindset allowed GM to become one of the top automakers in the country.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has stated, “The one thing that I would say that defines me is I love to learn.” In his book about stepping in to run the software giant, Nadella described how he used a performance mindset to revamp the company’s leadership style. Since he took over in 2014, Microsoft has become even more profitable.

I Can Help You Become an Industry Leader

It’s never too late to foster leadership qualities in yourself. At the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute, I’ve used Rosenbluth Travel as a case study. This small, family-owned company had used a top-down management style for decades. After some initial resistance, they shifted to an employee-focused leadership style. Today, the company is a market leader and the top independent agency in the travel industry.

Are you interested in developing your leadership qualities? You can become an industry leader by developing the mindset of a leader. If you need help with any aspect of successful entrepreneurship, contact me at the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute.

Categories
Increase Productivity

Personal Guide to Peak Productivity

Peak Productivity
1,744 Views

Why Peak Productivity Matters

Productivity is embedded in the business vernacular, associated with optimum work output to maximize profitability. Truly being productive means using your time effectively to get the most critical work done.

“Productivity is being able to do things that you were never able to do before.”
– Franz Kafka

Personal productivity engenders a sense of accomplishment, control, and empowerment. When we function at peak performance, hitting milestones and completing deliverables, the rewards are both intrinsic and extrinsic.

Here are five productivity behaviors that you should master:

1. Set the stage.

Create a work environment conducive to peak performance. If you are working from home, carve out a dedicated space so that your mind automatically shifts into productivity mode when you cross the threshold into that area. Keep the area unfettered from clutter, entertainment devices, and other distractions.

2. Get the most critical activities done first.

The following is a process to reduce stress and complete the most important work.

• Create a to-do list using whatever tool you are comfortable with, such as Outlook Tasks, Microsoft To-Do, OneNote, or even a planner notebook in hard copy.
• Over the course of the day, add tasks you need to accomplish, assigning a date and priority ranking, and remove items no longer relevant.
• At the end of the day, review your list and select two or three priorities for tomorrow. Reschedule tasks that aren’t as important or appropriate.
• First thing the next day, review your list again. Make adjustments to accommodate rush requests, competing priorities, and new events.

3. Avoid multitasking.

Rather than allowing emails, social media, and personal business to disrupt your day, schedule two or three breaks to address these items. Some people block off time to read business emails as well. Knowing that time has been set aside to attend to some issues should reduce anxiety and keep you focused. Worry is a distraction that erodes productivity.

4. Take care of yourself.

When you’re working on multiple projects and people depend on you, it’s hard to pull yourself away. Working straight through the day is counterproductive, though, and the stress will ultimately impact your overall health.

Block out lunch in your calendar so people cannot schedule meetings with you during that time. Getting away from your desk is necessary to clear your head and re-energize. Eat healthy meals, listen to music, stretch, take a walk, meditate, have a cup of tea, or close your eyes for 15 minutes. Whatever your preference is, guard this time for yourself.

5. Remember Parkinson’s Law.

In 1955, Cyril Northcote Parkinson said that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” This is known as Parkinson’s Law, often referenced during discussions about low productivity. Although the statement had been a commentary on government bureaucracy, it has application for many of us.

In the absence of a tight deadline, there’s a tendency to work at a slower pace until a whole day is occupied on activities that could have been wrapped up in a fraction of the time. To avoid this, try the Pomodoro Technique. With this approach, you would set a timer for working on a task, incorporating time for breaks. This is essentially self-imposed urgency to improve your focus on the task at hand.

Leverage the principles of Workplace Culture and Neuroscience

Georgetown University defines neuroscience as “the study of how the nervous system develops, its structure and what it does.” Neuroscientists observe the brain and its effect on behavior and cognition. We can leverage learnings from neuroscience to understand how to improve productivity. According to a research article in Scientific American, productivity increases when people take physical and mental breaks from work. These breaks restore attention, strengthen memory, and promote creativity.

The challenge is the American workplace culture. There are no federal U.S. laws that guarantee paid time off, sick time, or vacation. Even worse, many Americans choose not to take advantage of the vacation benefits they have. Use these benefits, and resist checking work emails until you return.

Busy Is Not the Same as Productive

Sometimes, we confuse being busy with being productive. Think about the times when you worked all day and came home exhausted, yet you felt like you hadn’t accomplished anything. It’s frustrating.

“Focus on being productive instead of busy.”
– Tim Ferriss

I hope this productivity guide inspires ideas on how to be more productive. What steps will you take to increase your productivity? Reach out to the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute to learn more.

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Increase Productivity

Don’t Let Negative Thoughts Sabotage Your Success

Negative Thoughts
2,300 Views

Why You Have Negative Thoughts?

If you are reading this article, it may be because you consider yourself a negative thinker. Congratulations on taking the initiative to learn how to get rid of negative thoughts. Combating negativity starts with self-awareness. Don’t waste your energy looking for someone to blame or beating yourself up. Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, describes blaming as simply “a way to discharge pain and discomfort.”

Here are a few reasons why you may experience automatic negative thoughts:

  • Lack of self-confidence, which often happens when you develop a self-image based on the words or actions of others

  • The belief that you are the victim of circumstances and that you have no control over the events in your life

  • Imposter syndrome, which is when people “attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud,” as explained by the American Psychological Association (APA)

Productivity Tips to Get You Started

These productivity tips may help you learn how to stop negative thoughts:

  • Change begins with you, so acknowledge your responsibility in the process.

  • Avoid playing the role of victim, which promotes feelings of self-doubt, humiliation, self-pity, and rage.

  • Learn from your disappointments rather than letting them weaken your resolve. Try to identify solutions for the future.

  • If you feel unworthy of your accomplishments, break your silence and reach out to mentors who can provide support and encouragement.

  • Forgive yourself for mistakes, and forgive others who have berated you for those mistakes, reminding yourself that we are all human and imperfect.

  • Shun negative self-talk and know that failings are growth opportunities.

How to Get Rid of Negative Thoughts Through the Principles of Neuroscience

Having negative thoughts does not mean something is wrong with you. We would all look pretty silly smiling continuously. Scary. Sadness, jealousy, hesitation, and dismay are normal emotions. This is different from chronic negativity, which is essentially a continuous loop of negative thinking that causes stress and inhibits your capacity for joy in life.

Neuroscience is an example of next-level thinking in learning development. Psychology Today defines neuroscience as a “rapidly expanding discipline” that “examines the structure and function of the human brain and nervous system.” By studying the brain’s ability to produce new connections and circuits in the nervous system, neuroscientists have developed a better understanding of how our thoughts can produce neurochemical changes.

When you habitually think negatively, you are essentially programming your cells to expect more of the same. On the other hand, the power of positive thinking can strengthen the connections in your brain that release chemicals correlated to good feelings. Looking at negativity from the perspective of neuroscience may be different from anything you have considered.

Here are ways to stay positive using neuroscientifically backed methods:

  • Practice self-awareness by catching yourself thinking negative thoughts, starting from the moment you awaken.

  • Enjoy inspirational books, poetry, art, and quotes that reflect optimism.

  • Start a gratitude journal to record everything you appreciate about your life, and refer to it as a reminder of all you have.

  • Think in terms of solutions and opportunities rather than problems.

  • Know that you cannot control everything, and accept what you cannot change.

Impact of Negativity in the Workplace

From a project management perspective, controlled negativity is not such a bad thing. Project managers are skilled at harnessing negative thoughts to prepare for factors beyond their control, using tools and processes like risk management and lessons learned.

A negative attitude within the team is more troublesome. Individual negative behavior has a way of cascading to the rest of the team. Team-building exercises are often used to create an environment where team members can feel comfortable airing negative thoughts about the project and working together to come up with solutions.

What Have You Got to Lose?

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by transforming negative thoughts into positive actions. Charles F. Glassman, author of “Brain Drain: The Breakthrough That Will Change Your Life,” stated that “believing in negative thoughts is the single greatest obstruction to success.”

Trust in the science that you have the power to rewire your brain by channeling your thoughts into positive energy with a focus on self-awareness, gratitude, and acceptance. You can achieve next-level thinking.

For more productivity tips that you can apply to your workplace and your own life, contact me today at the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute.

Categories
Actionable Insights

How to Persuade People to Take Action

Concentrated colleagues brainstorm discussing paperwork at briefing
1,885 Views

One day, you were lying down on your yoga mat relaxing, in Shavasana when a brilliant work idea popped into your head. The next workday, you share your idea with your supervisor, and she is unimpressed. Pablo Picasso famously said, “Action is the foundational key to all success.” Here’s how to convince people to take action.

1. Make It Worth People’s Time to Listen to Your Idea

If you can’t get people to listen to you, then they won’t be able to consider your idea. People are busy. Many individuals struggle to find time to read, exercise, or eat properly. This means that they won’t listen to you if it seems like you’re wasting their time. When sharing your idea, be sure to explain quickly what your idea is and why it’s a good one. Connect your idea to their personal lives, workplace, or an organization that’s important to them.

To be an effective seller, you must be credible and passionate about your idea. People should be able to relate to you and see how your idea is beneficial. According to “The Influential Mind,” you’ll be more likely to influence the behavior of others when you do it based on common ground instead of trying to be right.

When you’re attempting to convince someone of something, it’s probably your instinct to change their beliefs or actions by sharing information that shows you are right and they are wrong. This usually fails because people will form a counterargument or walk away. Persuade others of your idea by using common ground.

People are social creatures. Many folks prefer to think that they have their own thoughts and ideas and that they aren’t impacted by what others say or do, but most really are influenced by others.

2. Show People That You Are Trustworthy

Once you show others that you care about your idea, they will start to see you as someone who is trustworthy. When you’re sharing your idea, those who are listening to you will wonder if they should trust what you’re saying. It’s important for people to feel comfortable in your presence.

Assess the mood of the people you are presenting to if the atmosphere in the room seems quiet or down, then they’ll be more open to ideas that appear safe. When people are feeling happy and excited, they’ll be more responsive to risky ideas.

Your listeners will search for internal and external encouragements to decide if you’re trustworthy. They will consider your reputation and the evidence that you’re presenting. Those you are presenting to will have questions, and you’ll want to do your best to answer them without their asking. The more trust and credibility that you have with your audience, the better your chances are of their considering your idea.

3. Outline the Actions and Simplify the Process

Once you’ve motivated your listeners to take action, explain how you intend to make your idea happen. At this stage, your audience is ready to consider your vision, but they will likely be unsure about how to implement it. Don’t leave without explaining the action steps.

The ability to persuade others requires more than just selling your idea. It’s about inspiring behavior changes or motivating people to act. Avoid inspiring people into taking steps without outlining how you intend for them to get there. When you explain the actions, you’ll decrease their fear and doubt. Simplify the action process to decrease any perceived risks. For instance, if you’re talking with someone who you believe would take your idea to his or her supervisor, then be prepared with a prewritten email that explains your idea clearly. That way, your thought is easy to share.

Gain support ahead of time. Before making your presentation, it would be helpful to talk to one or two people about your idea to get them on board with implementing it. Ask for feedback on your plan, even if you’re comfortable with everything about it. When you ask others for input, they’ll feel included and more supportive of what you’re trying to do.

4. Persuade People to Believe in You

Brainfluence is the art of using neuroscience and your knowledge of behavior patterns to persuade people to believe in you. While not every amazing idea that you have will come to fruition, how to convince someone of your way of thinking is invaluable.

Turn those ideas into action. Contact us at the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute to learn more about how to persuade others today.

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Brain Hacks

Using Your Brain to Improve Your Project Management Skills

Use Your Brian
1,672 Views

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase “Work smarter, not harder.” One way to do that is to learn how to use more of your brain. If you’re a project manager, you can employ cultural neuroscience to improve your management skills. Sound complicated? Don’t worry; the concept of cultural neuroscience can be used to simplify the problem-solving process.

Project Management

Project management involves leading a team of individuals to complete a particular project within a specified amount of time. Regardless of the type of project, there are specific skills every project manager must possess to complete their tasks successfully. Those include good time management skills, relationship management skills, and organizational awareness. Additionally, project managers must understand how their team members’ thoughts, emotions, and behaviors impact their productivity. Employing the concepts of cultural neuroscience helps project managers improve their project management skills.

Communication

Project managers must be able to communicate the scope and nature of the project effectively to those involved. Team members need clear direction concerning their roles and responsibilities. Stakeholders should receive status updates. As a project manager, controlling your emotions is essential. That doesn’t mean suppressing your feelings entirely. However, you should be aware that what you’re feeling affects your communication and how others react.

Time Management

Aside from handling scheduling, project managers need to keep meetings on track and manage their own time. When project managers become stressed, it affects their ability to make rational decisions. They can reduce stress by reprioritizing assignments and eliminating unnecessary tasks from their calendars.

Problem Solving

According to Harvard researchers, adult brains can still regenerate cells and make new connections. That means we are capable of change. This ability to change has allowed us to modify our brain’s biological makeup and how it functions to survive and operate effectively in society. It also means we can develop the necessary skills to handle increasingly complex and challenging problems and decisions.

Organizational Awareness

Because competing projects may require the same people and resources, project managers should become familiar with other projects occurring at the same time within their organization. People from different backgrounds respond differently to stress related to change based on their experiences. Project managers can use their awareness of these differences to proactively address potential concerns created by projects before they manifest in the form of an adverse cultural reaction.

Diplomacy

Cultural neuroscience exposes how culture influences empathy. People seem to be better at correctly identifying the emotions of members of their groups versus other groups. Individuals of different cultures recognize others’ feelings and infer others’ intentions. There is always the potential for personality clashes among team members. As a project manager, you should be prepared to negotiate the unexpected.

What Is Cultural Neuroscience?

Cultural neuroscience is an emerging component of leadership development of global project managers. Coined by researchers in 2007, the term cultural neuroscience refers to the growing body of research in cognitive and social neuroscience. Studies have demonstrated the degree to which culture influences how our brains process information. Behavioral project management involves integrating behavioral sciences and neuroscience with project management.

In discussing cultural neuroscience with PMtips, Carole Osterweil, an executive and project leadership coach and author, explains what she feels is essential for every project manager to know. First, they must understand that the primary goal of the human brain is to ensure survival. Anything that threatens that survival, whether physical or social, will trigger a fight or flight response. Understanding how the brain functions help us learn to manage our emotions. Project managers who can manage their feelings can better understand others’ motives and address factors that could affect others’ feelings.

Too many projects fail because project managers focus solely on the project’s technical aspect and don’t consider its cultural impact on the people and their environment. Behind every project are individuals making decisions motivated by behaviors and attitudes based on their cultural differences. As cultural neuroscience shows, project managers can develop the skills needed to mediate conflict and mend divides created by cultural differences.

Organizations must understand that today’s marketplace leaders can no longer concentrate their efforts on one geographical area. Competition is forcing companies to expand globally if they wish to remain relevant in today’s marketplace. Along with this global expansion comes a diversified marketplace involving people with varying viewpoints.

Project managers must possess people skills to lead initiatives properly. It’s essential to understand a project’s human and social implications and respect the people affected if you’re searching for new ways to improve your project management skills, reach out to the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute and check out Workplace Jazz: HOW TO IMPROVISE – 9 Steps to Creating High-Performing Agile Project Teams.

Workplace Jazz

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Streamline Processes

Make It Stop: How to Stop Complicating Your Life

Make it stop
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Life isn’t that complicated, but our inability to focus can make it seem that way. If you don’t start each day with a clear plan and a well-defined goal, your day could unravel and spin out of control. Fortunately, there are simple, proven steps to getting your life back on a more straightforward track.

Why Do People Make Life Complicated?

Most of us don’t want to make our lives more complicated or stressful, so why do we do it? Most of us do it unintentionally. We think a complicated problem must have a complicated solution. In reality, a simple answer is usually the easiest and most effective solution.

Neuroscientists have found differences in certain portions of the brain among people who “overly complicate” things by being too literal and unable to see simple solutions. These people seem to operate on a higher plane, but they have difficulty dealing with everyday problems.

Could that be causing you to overthink everything? If you think so, it’s time to bring yourself back to earth. Try this experiment, run your problem by a trusted friend. Ask them to propose a solution. Chances are, they’ll come up with something much simpler than the complicated answer you chose.

Are You Designing Your Life or Letting It Design You?

Are you letting your life get overly complicated? All too often, we can get confused, derailed, and blown off track.

This type of thinking affects many aspects of our lives. According to Psychology Today, financial planner Michael Kay says his clients sometimes complicate their financial lives with too many accounts. As he concludes:

“There is a dividing line between our self-created complexity and our ability to simplify and move forward. We all have habits that ‘feel right’ because we’ve always done them. However, when we examine those habits, we may find that they don’t provide the value they once did. What are you overcomplicating? What can you simplify?”

How to Simplify Your Life

Here are some daily steps you can take immediately to make your life less complicated.

1. Stop worrying about the future: The past is gone, and the future isn’t here. Stop worrying about either one. The present is the only time you can control, and you can get control by having a plan for every day. Use meditation to keep yourself focused on the present moment.

2. Take action: If you can’t face your work right away, start the day by doing something you enjoy. It will “wake up” your mind with something enjoyable and spark your creativity. Don’t use it as an excuse to put off work for too long, however. Procrastination can lead to more complications if you don’t get your work done on time.

3. Change your mindset: Studies on neuroscience and motivation have found that a negative attitude about life can affect your ability to focus on your work and goals. To reverse this, read something inspiring written by a business leader, meditate, write down your goals again and start small. Even a few minutes of action can change your negative mindset into a positive one.

4. Clear the decks: If you have too many commitments, start cutting back on them. Stop saying “yes” to every request. Hire help for specific time-consuming tasks that don’t help you make money. Drop everything that isn’t necessary from your calendar. If it’s complicated, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.

5. Stop comparing yourself to other people: We all tend to compare ourselves to people whose successes we envy, especially if they’re successful in our chosen field. Of course, we never really know what the lives of those successful people are like. You’ve had your struggles and triumphs. Everyone reaches their life goals at a different pace. You will get there if you stay motivated and work every day.

Make It Stop: Untie the Knots of Your Life

If you’ve let your life become a tangled mess, it’s time to unravel the knots. Look for simple solutions to your daily problems and stop worrying about things you can’t control.

If you’re having trouble with this or any issue related to your productivity, contact me at the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute. My team and I can help you find ways to simplify your schedule and get your life back in balance.

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Reduce Stress

Stress Symptoms You Don’t Want to Ignore

Stress Symptoms You Don't Want to Ignore
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And What To Do About Them

How to Deal With the Physical Signs of Stress

Stress is part of everyone’s life. Every person has moments when they’re running late, missing a deadline, or staring at a stack of unpaid bills. Even sitting in a traffic jam can evoke your body’s stress response.

The Source of Stress Symptoms

Your body has an efficient way to respond to stressful situations. When your brain perceives a threat, it signals the release of several hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. In turn, these substances prepare your body for a physical response: heart rate and breath rate increase. Blood pressure rises. Less critical systems like your digestive tract slow down.

This type of preparation makes sense when you face a physical attacker, but it’s not always helpful when a work project is due. Triggering this response frequently during the day can cause stress symptoms like a lack of focus, trouble sleeping, and an upset stomach. Stress can also make you nervous. After a stressful event, you may feel tired and depressed. As Dr. Hans Selye, an important figure in stress theory, put it, “It’s not the stress that kills us. It’s our reaction to it.”

The Need to Reduce Stress

High levels of stress can cause behaviors that you may not be able to explain. During stressful episodes, some people will start eating junk food that they would never normally consume. Even though they’re tired, they might sit watching television or online videos into the early hours. Allowing stress to control you is not a sustainable way to live. For this reason, I’ve looked for stress reduction techniques that will help maintain better physical and mental health for myself and others.

Stress and Breathing

When the pressure seems too much to bear, a deep breathing technique reduces stress that will slow your body down. Many physical responses to stress like heart rate and blood pressure are out of your direct control. Once the stress response kicks in, they happen automatically. However, if you’re mindful, you can control your breath rate. When I feel anxious, I like to take three deep breaths to slow things down and get my bearings.

A meditation practice when you’re not under pressure can prepare you to deal with high-stress situations. If you have practiced slowing your body and calming your mind, it will be easier to find your rhythm when you’re struggling.

How Does Exercise Reduce Stress?

Exercise is another stress-busting practice. The fight-or-flight response prepares your body for a physical reaction. Your blood sugar rises as your body releases some of the energy stored in fat cells. Going for a brisk walk, jog, or any physical activity will help your body return to balance.

It’s not always practical to leave the office during a stressful time. However, there are plenty of options you can do indoors. If you can find a private space, put in your earbuds and dance for five minutes. Drop to the floor and do 20 pushups. Burning off some of your excess energy can restore you to a calmer place.

Foods That Reduce Stress

When most people think about stress-eating, they imagine unhealthy foods. The stress response converts the simple sugars in your bloodstream into energy for your muscles. For this reason, many people find themselves craving sweet foods after a stressful event. The pattern of experiencing stress followed by consuming unhealthy carbs can lead to weight gain and an increased risk of diabetes. Keeping some whole-grain carbohydrates like a healthy granola bar or a piece of dark chocolate nearby will give you better options.

Another healthy choice for dealing with stress is drinking a cup of herbal tea. Peppermint and chamomile teas are popular choices for a relaxing brew. It’s not just the flavor and smell that are calming. Preparing and drinking hot tea makes you slow down and enjoy the moment.

Creating a Culture of Calm

High-stress work culture may show some short-term results. However, over time, it leads to burnout, high turnover, and a loss of productivity. You can improve your workplace by modeling positive behaviors. Opening time and space for recovery from high-stress events will also improve your culture.

One way to reduce stress in your workplace is organization. A poorly-designed workflow creates a stressful situation. When people clearly understand their roles and know your expectations, they’ll feel a greater sense of control over their work.

Navigating a Stress-Filled World

Stress is not all bad. Too little stress can be just as detrimental to productivity as too much. You want to find a balance where you’re challenged enough to be engaged but not so much that you’re overwhelmed. My goal as a coach at the Leonard Productivity Intelligence Institute is to give you the tools you need to navigate a stress-filled world successfully.